Gothic architecture ushered Europe into the Middle Ages.
During the 13th century, Europe began a process of economic recovery from the Dark Ages. Its population was growing, and the generation of wealth by the European economy allowed for larger construction budgets. Exposure to the architecture and engineering of the Byzantine and Islamic Empires in the East were leading European architects and masons to break away from the earlier Romanesque style towards the Gothic. This period of building lasted between A.D. 1200 to A.D. 1500. The term "Gothic" was originally a derogatory one, likening the new architectural form to the barbarian Goths who had sacked Rome in A.D. 410.
Origins of Gothic Style
Romanesque structures like this cathedral tended to be squat and thick
Gothic architecture originated with the Normans, who pioneered large castle building in the aftermath of their invasion of England in 1066. Norman architects learned build large structures of stone, in particular using the Roman arch, the barrel vault and the groin arch. These skills were applied toward the building of pre-Gothic Romanesque cathedrals. This style of building had its problems; walls tended to collapse from the weight of the stone roofs, and windows were few in order to maintain solid walls.
Ribbed Vaults and Pointed Arches
Ribbed vaults and pointed arches supported by a freestanding column.
Gothic architecture incorporated two design features to lighten the roof: ribbed vaults and pointed arches. Ribbed vaults in the arch distributed the weight of the roof onto pillars rather than walls. This was because the weight of the roof was transferred onto the ribs of the vault, which in turn directed the weight into free-standing columns. As a result, walls did not have to be as solid and could contain more windows. Pointed arches were an improvement over the Roman semicircular arch because they were more load-bearing and also allowed a higher ceiling interior.
Flying Buttresses
As well as being supports, flying buttresses were aesthetic additions.
By the Gothic period, wooden roofs in cathedrals were abandoned because of constant fire hazards, and replaced with stone. A key concern was always the danger of walls buckling from a heavy roof. Gothic architecture ingeniously solved this problem by actively redistributing a roof's weight with flying buttresses -- these were numerous external structures outside the building that were connected to the walls with an arch. These helped support the roof's weight by transferring the load-bearing stress laterally to the buttress and into the ground. This allowed for higher buildings.
Windows
Gothic cathedrals contrasted sharply with the dimly lit interiors of Romanesque buildings.
With the innovations of ribbed vaults and flying buttresses, walls no longer were the chief load-bearing supports for a ceiling. They could now be hollowed out to create more windows. This was a conscious stylistic break from the Romanesque, as cathedrals of that period had few sources of natural light due to small windows. Gothic architecture sought a sense of expansiveness within its buildings, not only with space but also with light. The 13th century ushered in experimentation in the use of stained glass to create intricate plays of light and color within cathedrals.
